Machine for folding blanks for cuffs and the like.



G. I. DORMANDY. MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND THE LIKE.

, 7 APPLICATION FILED HA3. 2, 1906. 904,5 1 6 Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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G. J. DORMANDY, MAGHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED HA3- 2, 1906.

Patented Nov. 24,1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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G. J. DORMANDY. MACHINE POE FOLDING- BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND APPLICATIONFILED HA3. 2, 1906.

112 LIKE.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT canon.

GARRY J. DORMANDY, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHIRT ANDCOLLAR COMPANY, OF TROY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR CUFFS AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARRY J. DORI\I 1ND1 "L1 citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer, State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Wachine for Folding Blanks forCuffs and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for folds ing blanks for cuffs and likearticles, such as collars, shirt bosoms, etc; such articles usuallycomposed of layers of fabric suitably secured together to form thegarment.

In the manufacture of such articles it has become common to prepare theseparate layers of fabric by taking pieces of fabric, each ofsufficiently larger size than the completed article that its edges maybe folded over the edges of a die or templet which is properlyconstructed for defining the shape or contour of the finished article.These folded blanks, which are then of the exact proportions of thefinished article, are usually placed together in pairs with the foldededges concealed between the blanks, and stitches of thread are runaround the periphery, usually with a sewing machine, to permanentlysecure the blanks together, and thus constitute the cufi, collar, shirtbosom, or similar article. In this art many difliculties have beenrecognized, and the folding of fabric blanks to accurate proportions forthe purposes mentioned has long been recognized as one which hasrequired constantly increasing refinements in order to secure suitablyaccurate folding -so that the finished article may be perfect anduniform in outline and of such quality of workmanship that the sewingtogether of the blanks may be done with the greatest pos sibleexpediency and efliciency. It is very essential for this kind of workthat the folded edges of the blanks be pressed or squeezed so as toproduce a sharp crease, whereby the folds are rendered unlikely tobecome disturbed, distorted or unfolded, all of which would materiallyinterfere with the attainment of such accuracy as commercial needsrequire;

My invention relates more particularly to improvements upon that type ofmachine which comprises, in combination with Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed March 2, 1906.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Serial No. 303,760.

a bed for supporting the blanks, a templet for defining the blanks andinwardly and outwardly moving infolders for folding the edges of theblanks over the edges of the templet, a means or mechanism for producinga suitably powerful creasing pressure upon the folded edges of theblanks before the latter have been taken from the position occupied bythem during the folding operation.

I will first describe a form of machine em bodying my invention, andwill then point out the novel features thereof in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top or plan view ofa form of machine embodying my invention. For convenience I have shownthe invention as applied to a machine containing a slide of generallycircular form which gives the machine the shape of a circle, as a meansfor actuating the infolders. This circular infolder actuating mechanismis not of itself claimed to be new with this application, as it wasillustrated in my prior patent No. 714,788, of December 2, 1902, whereit is fully described, by reason of which an extended description willbe omitted from the present application. Fig. 2 is a plan view of asuitable die or templet which may be used for defining the outline ofthe cuff or analogous article to be folded in the machine shown inFig. 1. This templet is omitted from Fig. 1 to better illustrate theconstruction of other parts. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken onthe line 33, Fig. 1, showing the infolders and pressers in theirrelation to the blank and the blank supporting bed at that stage of theoperation when the folding itself is complete after the templet has beenwithdrawn from the folds and before the infolders have been removed fromthe position occupied at the instantof the completion of the actualinfolding. Fig. 4: shows a view similar to Fig. 3, but wit-h the partsin an advanced stage of operation; the infolders have been moved furtherinwards and the pressers have been brought to a position directly abovethe folds of the blanks preparatory to the application of a powerfulcreasing pressure to squeeze the folds between the pressers and the bed.Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing in plan an infolder and its connectingslide. Fig. 6 is a similar detailed view showing a presser, or pressingbar, and its connecting slide. Fig. 7 is a side View of the infolderslide shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a side View of the infolder shown inFig. 5.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to designate correspondingparts in the several figures of the drawings.

The main portion, or bed, of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4,is marked with the numeral 1. This bed is for the purpose of supportingthe blanks, and also in this particular illustration of my invention isfurther employed as the part to which the operating mechanisms areconnected. It may, of course, be of any desired external form. Forconvenience I have adopted a circular form such as that shown in myprior patent No. 714,788 already referred to.

Combined with the bed 1 is an operating device for actuating infolders.This device I have also shown for convenience of the same type as thatillustrated in my said prior patent. It consists in an operating ring 2which is fitted to slide or oscillate in a corresponding groove formedin the bed; and has for operating it a handle 20, which will behereinafter referred to.

Connected with the ring are a number of operating contrivances such ascamblocks, a purpose of which is to effect inward and outward movementsof infolders. These cam blocks are marked with the numeral 6. They areconnected with the ring or slide 2 in suitable fashion, such as by meansof screws, and they may be adjustable if desired.

A cam and slot arrangement intermediate the blocks 6 and the infoldersserves to transmit motion to the latter when the actuating ring isoscillated. 5 represents a cam slot which engages with a roller pin 3,the latter being connected to the inwardly and outwardly moving infolderslide 7. The infolder slide may be guided in its inward and outwardmovements in the manner which I fully described in my said prior patent,viz., by means of slide-Ways 23 secured upon the bed and arrangedsubstantially radially.

As is clear from Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7, the infolder slide 7 is, in thisparticular illustration of my invention, formed with an arch or offsetfor a purpose that will hereinafter appear, and at its inner extremitythis slide 7 has connected to it the infolder 8. The means forconnecting the infolder and slide may be bolts or screws 17, which passthrough a slot, or slots, 16 in the vertical portion of the infolder; bythls means permitting a lateral adjustment between the two part-swhereby a single machine ma be adapted for the manufacture of cu s orlike articles of varying sizes.

From the above description it will now be understood that when thehandle 20 is operated to oscillate the actuating ring 2, the cam and pinconnection intermediate the slide and each infolder, will effect inwardand outward movements of the infolders for the purpose of carrying orturning the edge portions of blanks inwardly; and these movements 'maybe simultaneous or otherwise, as experience or conditions may dict-ate.I have also provided an additional feature in the foregoing mechanism,which may be described as an extension of the cam 5 whereby the infoldermay be given a further movement than that which is necessary for thefolding operation itself. Thus, it will be seen, that there is a bend inthe cam slot 5. WVhen the handle 20 is moved to the right, it willcontact with a stop 22. At this point the pin 3 connected with theinfolder slide 7 will be engaged near the bend or the middle of the camslot 5. However, the handle 20 is pivotally connected to the actuatingring by means of two castings 21, 21, so that it may be slightlyelevated and passed over the stop 22 for producing the further movementmentioned. Then the portion of the cam slot beyond the bend will comeinto play, and the infolder will be moved to a position materiallyinwards of that which it occupies at the completion of the foldingitself.

The purpose of the above arrangement whereby, in addition to the foldingmovements, further movements may be brought about in the infolders, willappear hereinafter.

I will now describe a suitable form of fold-defining mechanism, which isusually termed a templet.

In Fig. 1 is shown at the rear of the machine a couple of bearings orcenters 24, on which hinges an arm 14, which forms a very convenientmeans for securing the accurate positioning to the templet when it islowered upon the blanks. The templet is shown in Fig. 2 and is connectedat the forward end of the positioning arm 14.

Vithout describing in detail the construction of the templet, which inand of itself is not herein claimed as new, it may be briefly describedas consisting of the usual body portion, to which are fitted a series offold-defining plates 12, which are so fitted that they may be movedinwardly and outwardly, whereby the templet as a whole may be contractedand expanded at will; although sometimes a single plate will besuilicient. A handle 13, which may be used for elevating and loweringthe templet, is also connected to the body portion of the templet so asto oscillate. Intermediate connecting links extend from the oscillatinghandle to the plates 12, so that by operating the handle the movementsof the plates may be effected to contract and expand the templet atwill.

I will now describe a specific form of pressing mechanism which embodiesmy invention.

Generally speaking, such pressing mechanism may be said to consist of anumber of pressing bars, or pressers, 10, which as elements of themachine are distinct from the infolders 8, but which are so related tothe infolders that after the latter have accomplished the folding of theblank edges and have been given a further movement to carry them beyondsuch position, the pressers may then be brought, without any appreciableloss of time and without disturbing or removing the folded blanks,directly above the folds of the latter. The pressers are furtherconstructed to receive a power ful creasing pressure for the purpose ofsqueezing the folds of the blanks after the folding operation andindependently of the infolders.

Not necessarily, but preferably, each of the pressers will correspondwith an infolder, as will be clear from Figs. 5 and 6 showing the formof an infolder and presser respectively; and the pressers will belocated normally outwardly of the infolders, to permit which arrangementthe infolder. slides 7 are given the arched or offset shape alreadyreferred to.

The pressers, as shown, are fitted to be moved inwardly and outwardly,and this may be done by any convenient form of actuating mechanism,although I prefer one which is located outwardly of the pressers andwhich consists in a presser slide 9 analogous to the infolder slide 7and which, like the latter, engages in the fixed slide-ways 23 whichserve to guide the presser in its inward and outward movements.

For causing the movements of the presser inwardly and outwardly, Ipreferably employ a cam slot similar to the cam slot which actuates theinfolder slide; and this cam slot, which is marked 4, is alsoconveniently formed in the same cam block 6 in which the infolderactuating cam 5, already described, is formed. The cam a should be soformed that after the infolder has accomplished its infolding functionand moved a further distance, the presser will then quickly come intosubstantially the position just previously occupied by the infolder,that is, directly above the folds of the blanks.

It will be understood that when an expanding and contracting templet isemployed, the templet will be contracted and elevated ofi from the bedafter the folds have been formed, and this permits the infolders andpressers to move from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positionsshown in Fig. at without the necessity of disturbing the blanks or evenmoving or removing them from their original position on the bed.

Pressure will now be brought to bear downwardly upon the pressers, andfor this purpose treadle mechanism capable of affording a high pressure,perhaps in the neighborhood of one ton, should be employed, such, forexample, as that shown in my prior Patent No. 714,788. This form ofpressure producing mechanism being old, will not be more fullydescribed, but it should be pointed out that my preferred arrangementfor the pressing hooks is as shown in Fig. 1, where the pressure hooksare indicated by the numeral 11. A. pressure of the foot upon thetreadle will cause the lowering of the hooks 11, which bear directlyupon the pressers 10, which in turn transmit the creasing pressure tothe folds of the blank.

The pressers may be made adjustable upon the presser slides 9, as bymeans of a set screw 19 passing through a slot 18 in the presser 10.

The operation of the parts thus described will preferably besubstantially as follows: An operator will take one or more layers offabric cut to form a blank similar to and slightly larger than the formof the ultimate product, and will lay the same upon the bed of themachine with its edges above the inner edges of the infolders. Theoperator will then swing the templet downwardly so that its expandedplates will bear directly upon the blanks upon the bed, the edges of thetemplet of course being within the edges of the blanks. He will thenmove the handle 20 to the right, which moves the actuating ring andoperates the cam and slot connections to force the infolders inwardly,which folds the edges of the blanks over the edges of the templet. Thetemplet will then be contracted and elevated, as its function is thencompleted. Then the handle 20 will be jumped over the stop 22 andcontinued in its movement. This carries the infolders inwardly beyondthe edges of the blanks and brings the pressers above the edges of theblanks as shown in Fig. 4. Pressure will then be applied to the treadleto squeeze the folds between the pressers and bed, which can obviouslybe done with-- out danger of injuring the infolders because the latterare not employed in the pressing operation. Heating means may beemployed to keep the bed in a hot condition in order to insure a betterpressing operation, but this is well known in the art and is notdecribed. The handle 20 will now be returned to its original position,and after the blank now completed is removed, the machine is ready foranother operation.

hat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a folding machine, the combination of a series of infolders, meansfor pressing folds independently of the infolders, and mechanism wherebythe infolders may be given lateral inward infolding movements followedby further inward movements to remove them from the folds, saidmechanism also having connections for bringing the pressing means intoposition for pressing at the same time as the further inward move mentsof said infolders, whereby the folds may be pressed independently of theinfolders.

2. In a folding machine, the combination of a series of infolders and aseries of corresponding pressers, together with mechanism whereby theinfolders may be given lateral inward infolding movements and thenfurther inward movements, said mechanism having connections whereby thepressers may be brought into operative position at the same time theinfolders are undergoing said further inward movements, and meanscooperating with said pressers for causing the latter to press theinfolds whereby the pressing may be accomplished independently of theinfolders. 4

3. In a folding machine, the combination of a series of infolders, and aseries of corresponding pressers, together with mechan ism whereby theinfolders may be given lateral inward movements more than sufficient toinfold the blanks, whereby such inward movement-s may carry theinfolders to a po sition removed from the folds, and mechanism wherebythe pressers are moved inwardly so as to occupy a position over thefolds while the infolders are in such extreme inward positions and thencaused to partake in the pressing of the folds whereby the pressing maybe accomplished inclependently of the infolders.

4. In a folding machine, a series of infolders and a series ofcorresponding pressers for pressing folds independently of infolders,the infolders provided with mechanism for causing lateral infoldingmovements and further lateral movements, the pressers adapted to receiveand provided with mech anism for causing inward movements to bring themabove the folds when the infolders are given said further lateralmovements, and pressure applying mechanism, whereby the pressing andcreasing of the folds may be effected independently of the folders.

5. In a machine for folding blanks for cuffs or analogous articles, thecombination of a bed for supporting the blanks to be infolded, a templetfor defining the folds of the blanks, infolders, mechanism for causinginward movements-of said infolders sufiicient for folding edge portionsof said blanks over edge portions of said templet, and further inwardmovements thereof sufficient to carry said folders off the folds,pressers located outwardly of said infolders and fitted to receiveinward movements whereby the pressers may be brought to positions abovethe folds of the blanks after said further movement of infolders, and

pressure producing mechanism for causing a creasing pressure between thepressers and bed whereby the blanks may be creased with a sharp fold,and without cooperation of the folders.

6. In a machine for folding blanks for cuffs or analogous articles, thecombination of a bed for supporting the blanks to be infolded, anexpanding and contracting templet fitted to move to and from the bed,and having plates whose edge portions are adapted to define the blanksupon the bed, a series of infolders, mechanism for causing inwardmovements of said infolders for folding edge portions of the blanks overedge portions of said templet, and further inward movements after thesaid templet is contracted out of such folds, whereby said folders maybe removed from the folded edges, a series of pressers located outwardlyof said infolders and fitted to receive inward movements whereby thepressers may be brought to a position above the folds of the blanksafter said further movement of said infolders, and pressure producingmechanism for causing a creasing pressure between the pressers and bed,whereby the blanks may be creased with a sharp fold and independently ofthe folders.

7. In a machine for infolding blanks for cuffs, or analogous articles,the combination of a bed for supporting the blanks to be infolded, aconnected templet constructed to expand and contract adapted to definethe folds in the blanks, a series of inwardly and outwardly movableinfolders, mechanism for effecting movements of said infolders suitablefor folding edges of blanks over edges of the templet, and aftercontraction of the templet a further movement thereof sufficient tocarry said folders away from the. folds, a series of pressing blocksfitted with mechanism for causing inward movement thereof to bring thesame over the folded blank edges after the withdrawal of the templet andafter the further movement of the infolders, and pressing mechanism forcausing a creasing pressure between said pressing blocks and bed,independently of the folders.

8. In a machine for infolding blanks for cuffs, or analogousarticles,the combination of a bed for supporting the blanks to be infolded, aconnected templet constructed to expand and contract adapted to definethe folds in the blanks, a series of inwardly and outwardly movableinfolders, mechanism for effecting movements of said infolders forfolding edges of blanks over edges of the templet, and after contractionof the templet a further movement of said infolders, whereby the foldersare carried away from the folds, a series of pressing blocks fitted withmechanism for causing inward movement thereof to bring the same over thefolded blank edges after the withdrawal of the tem- 5 be creasedindependently of the folders, and

plet and after the further movement of the name to this specification inthe presence of infolders, and pressing mechanism for caustwosubscribing witnesses, on this first day 10 ing a creasing pressurebetween said pressof March A. D., 1906.

ing blocks and bed, whereby the folds may GARRY J DORMANDY a commonactuator for moving the folders In presence of and pressers. E. 0.HOUSE,

In wltness whereof, I have signed my GEO. L. VVIIEELOOK.

